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United States Patent |
5,597,145
|
Meyers
,   et al.
|
January 28, 1997
|
Individual sandbagging accessory apparatus
Abstract
An individual sandbagging accessory apparatus which includes a principal
sandbag support portion, a plurality of removable leg members attachable
to the principal sandbag support portion, for positioning the support
portion above the ground; clip members for securing the upper end of a
sandbag through the support system, so that once secured, there is defined
an upper bag opening for delivering sand into; and a plurality of ports in
the walls of the principal support portion for allowing the legs to be
slidably engaged through the support portion, for defining a compact
apparatus which could be secured to a backpack and easing transported.
Inventors:
|
Meyers; David L. (Navarre, FL);
Hudson; Howard J. (Navarre, FL)
|
Assignee:
|
Metric Systems Corporation (Fort Walton Beach, FL)
|
Appl. No.:
|
423889 |
Filed:
|
April 18, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: |
248/97; 248/99; 248/165; 248/188 |
Intern'l Class: |
A63B 055/04 |
Field of Search: |
248/97,95,99,101,150,151,165,188
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
478913 | Jul., 1892 | Bratney | 248/99.
|
575902 | Jan., 1897 | Nicholas | 248/97.
|
754580 | Mar., 1904 | Madden et al. | 248/97.
|
1414575 | May., 1922 | McCart | 248/101.
|
3796402 | Mar., 1974 | Trotta | 248/97.
|
3958785 | May., 1976 | Aboud | 248/97.
|
4376520 | Mar., 1983 | Wetherington | 248/97.
|
4488697 | Dec., 1984 | Garvey | 248/101.
|
4783031 | Nov., 1988 | Ebentheuer | 248/97.
|
4901959 | Feb., 1990 | Stage | 248/97.
|
4940201 | Jul., 1990 | Kurth | 248/101.
|
5058839 | Oct., 1991 | Stevens | 248/97.
|
5107564 | Apr., 1992 | Grumbles | 248/97.
|
5193770 | Mar., 1993 | Kildare | 248/97.
|
Primary Examiner: Kannan; Philip C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pravel, Hewitt, Kimball & Krieger
Claims
What is claimed as invention is:
1. An individual sandbagging accessory apparatus, comprising:
a) a sandbag support frame, having a plurality of sidewalls defining an
opening therethrough;
b) a plurality of leg members removably engaged to the sandbag support
frame for supporting the frame above the ground;
c) clip means mounted on the frame for engaging an upper end of a sandbag
in the open position onto the sandbag support frame;
d) a plurality of openings in the sidewalls of the sandbag support frame
for accommodating each of the leg members therethrough when the apparatus
is in a stowage configuration; and
e) means for maintaining the legs engaged through the plurality of openings
in the sidewalls when the apparatus is transported in a knapsack or tote
bag.
2. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the legs are slidably engaged within a
collar at each corner of the support frame.
3. The apparatus in claim 2, further including slots formed in the upper
end of each leg member to further engage the leg members within a collar
at each corner of the support frame.
4. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the means for maintaining the legs
engaged though the plurality of openings in the sidewalls comprises a
spring-loaded button on each leg engagable into a port in the frame walls.
5. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the apparatus defines a truncated
pyramid when supporting a sandbag thereupon.
6. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising means associated with the
support frame for allowing the support frame to be strapped to a tote bag
or knapsack for transport.
7. An individual sandbagging accessory apparatus, comprising:
a) a sandbag support frame, having a plurality of sidewalls, and further
defining a central opening therethrough;
b) a plurality of leg members removably engaged within a collar at each
corner of the sandbag support frame for supporting the frame above the
ground;
c) clip members along each wall of the support frame for engaging an upper
end of a sandbag in the open position onto the sandbag support frame
d) a plurality of openings in the sidewalls of the sandbag support frame
for accommodating the leg members therethrough when the apparatus is in a
stowage configuration; and
e) a recessible button on each leg member for maintaining each leg member
engaged through the plurality of openings in the sidewalls when the
apparatus is in the stowage configuration.
8. An individual sandbagging accessory apparatus, configurable from a first
erected position for securing a sandbag thereto, to a second stowage
position for transporting said accessory apparatus, the apparatus
comprising:
a) a sandbag support frame, having a plurality of sidewalls, and further
defining a central opening through which an upper end of a sandbag is
passed;
b) a plurality of leg members removably engaged within a collar at each
corner of the sandbag support frame for supporting the frame above the
ground;
c) clip members along an outer face of each wall of the support frame for
engaging an upper end of the sandbag passed through the opening in the
support frame, and held in the open position onto the sandbag support
frame, so that sand may be shoveled into the opened sandbag supported on
the support frame by a single individual; and
d) a plurality of ports in each of the sidewalls of the support frame, so
that when each leg is disengaged from the support frame, each leg may be
slidably engaged through respective ports in opposing sidewalls in order
to configure the apparatus for stowage or transport.
9. The apparatus in claim 8 further comprising a recessible button on each
leg member for maintaining each leg member engaged through the plurality
of openings in the sidewalls when the apparatus is in the stowage
configuration.
10. The apparatus in claim 8, wherein the legs are slidably engaged within
a collar at each corner of the support frame.
11. The apparatus in claim 8, wherein the means for maintaining the legs
engaged though the plurality of openings in the sidewalls comprises a
spring-loaded button on each leg engagable into a port in the frame walls.
12. The apparatus in claim 8, further including slots formed in the upper
end of each leg member to further engage the leg members within a collar
at each corner of the support frame.
13. The apparatus in claim 8, wherein the apparatus defines a truncated
pyramid when supporting a sandbag thereupon.
14. The apparatus in claim 8, further comprising means associated with the
support frame for allowing the support frame to be strapped to a tote bag
or knapsack for transport.
15. An individual sandbagging accessory apparatus, configurable from a
first erected position for securing a sandbag thereto, to a second stowage
position for transporting said accessory apparatus, the apparatus
comprising:
a) a sandbag support frame, having a plurality of sidewalls, and further
defining a central opening through which an upper end of a sandbag is
passed;
b) a plurality of leg members removably engaged within a respective collar
at each corner of the sandbag support frame for supporting the frame above
the ground;
c) clip members along an outer face of each wall of the support frame for
engaging an upper end of the sandbag passed through the opening in the
support frame, and held in the open position onto the sandbag support
frame, so that sand may be shoveled into the opened sandbag supported on
the support frame by a single individual;
d) a plurality of ports in each of the sidewalls of the support frame, so
that when each leg is disengaged from the support frame, each leg may be
slidably engaged through each of the ports in opposing sidewalls in order
to configure the apparatus for stowage or transport; and
e) a recessible button on each leg member for maintaining each leg member
engaged through the plurality of openings in the sidewalls when the
apparatus is in the stowage configuration.
16. An accessory support apparatus, comprising:
a) a support frame, having a plurality of sidewalls defining an opening
therethrough;
b) a plurality of leg members removably engaged to the support frame for
supporting the frame above the ground;
c) a plurality of openings in the sidewalls of the sandbag support frame
for accommodating each of the leg members therethrough when the apparatus
is in a stowage configuration; and
d) means for maintaining the legs engaged through the plurality of openings
in the sidewalls when the apparatus is transported in a knapsack or tote
bag.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sandbagging operations. More particularly,
the present invention relates to an individual sandbagging accessory which
allows a sandbag to be filled by a single individual and can be stowed in
a compact configuration during transport.
2. General Background
During certain emergency situations, such as flooding, or during combat,
sandbags are a vital component in protection against the rising water
during a flood, or from incoming shells during a combat situation. In both
cases, including others, fabric bags must be filled with sand, and sealed
off, to arrive at the final sandbag for use. The procedure for filling a
sandbag has virtually gone unchanged over many years. For example, in a
typical operation for filling sandbags, usually undertaken on an emergency
basis, one person is required to hold the sandbag upright, and open, and
the second person is required to shovel sand through the upper opening in
the bag, until the bag is filled. This procedure is both inefficient and
unsafe. First, the filling operation requires two people, instead of being
carried out by a single individual. Second, there is a hazard to the
person holding the bag in having to avoid the blade of the shovel making
contact with the persons hand during the filling operation, which could
result in serious injury. Additionally, in most emergency situations, the
need for manpower is critical, and requiring two people to fill a sandbag
often times is a waste of manpower. Furthermore, if a person is alone,
under the current state of the art, filling a sandbag would be a very
difficult operation. Therefore, it would be beneficial in the art to
provide an assembly which allow sandbags to be filled by a single person,
would be safe to utilize, and which assembly could be easily transported.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems in the art in a
simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is an individual
sandbagging accessory apparatus which includes a principal sandbag support
frame, a plurality of removable leg members removably attachable to the
principal sandbag support frame, for positioning the support frame above
the ground; clip members for securing the upper end of a sandbag through
the support frame, so that once secured, there is defined an upper bag
opening for shoveling sand into; and a plurality of ports in the walls of
the principal support frame for allowing the legs to be slidably engaged
through the ports in the support frame, for defining a compact apparatus
which could be secured to a backpack and easily transported.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an
individual sandbagging accessory which is lightweight and stowable while
not in use;
It is a further principal object of the present invention to provide an
individual sandbagging accessory which converts from a first stowable
configuration to a second upright configuration so that a sandbag may be
secured thereto and filled by a single individual;
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an individual
sandbagging accessory which allows a sandbag to be filled without a second
person holding the bag open, and thus eliminating the possibility of
injury to the person;
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an individual
sandbagging accessory which allows for individuals in emergency
situations, such as flood victims or soldiers, to easily transport the
apparatus, yet easily assemble it when sandbags must be filled;
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
individual sandbagging accessory having quick release features for quick
and easy assembly and disassembly.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
accessory support apparatus having features for easy assembly and
disassembly into a compact unit for carrying onto a knapsack or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts
are given like reference numerals, and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an overall, perspective view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention fully assembled;
FIG. 2 illustrates an overall, perspective view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention fully assembled with a sandbag mounted thereon;
FIG. 3 illustrates an overall, perspective view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention in the fully stowed configuration ready for
transport;
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate isolated, partial cutaway views of the leg
attachment assembly in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the leg attachment assembly of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present
invention by the numeral 10. As illustrated in perspective view in FIG. 1,
individual sandbag accessory apparatus 10 comprises a central sandbag
support frame 12 having a plurality of side walls 14, 16, 18, 20, each
sidewall having an upper edge 21 and lower edge 24, and together defining
a central frame opening 22 within support frame 12. Further, each of the
sidewalls 14, 16, 18, 20 include a plurality of circular openings 23, in
the preferred embodiment four openings 23 in each sidewall, the function
of which will be discussed further.
Apparatus 10 further includes a plurality of leg members 26, each leg
member 26 comprising an upper frame engaging portion 27, and a lower
support portion 29. As seen in FIG. 1, the upper frame engaging portion 27
would engage to each corner 28 of support frame 12 via an engagement means
31 positioned at each corner of frame 12. This engagement means includes a
collar member 30 positioned at each corner 28, and defining a central
opening 32, wherein the upper frame engaging portion 27 of each leg 26 is
slidably engaged.
The engagement between leg members 26 and collars 30 is illustrated more
clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5. As illustrated, each collar member 30 is secured
to each corner 28 of the frame 12, with the adjoining walls (for example,
walls 14, 16) of the frame 12, at corner 28, extending through the wall of
collar 30, with a portion 28A of each corner 28 positioned within space 32
of collar 30. This is illustrated in top view in FIG. 6. Further, the
annular wall 33 of each collar 30 provides an internal cutaway portion 35,
which is positioned interior to portion 28A of corner 44, as seen in FIG.
4. Each leg 26 provides a first upper spring-loaded button 40, positioned
in the upper frame engaging portion 27 of each leg 26, and a pair of slots
25, cut in the upper end of portion 27 of leg 26. Therefore, when the
upper portion 27 of each leg 26 is slidably engaged into each collar 30,
the spring-loaded button 40 remains recessed, until button 40 is aligned
with the cutaway portions 35 of wall 33, where button 40 is allowed to
fully engage, and be seated on the upper edge 41 of the cutaway portions
35, again as illustrated in FIG. 6. Further, as seen in FIG. 6, each
sidewall 14, 16 is engaged within each slot 25 in leg 26 so that the leg
26 may be fully engaged. After each leg 26 is engaged as described above,
this completes the engagement of the legs 26 into the upper frame 12.
As further illustrated in FIG. 1, directly below the lower edge 39 of each
collar 30, into which each frame engaging end 27 of each leg 30 is
engaged, each leg 26 defines a bend 44 so that the lower end 45 of the
lower support portion 29 of each leg 26 makes contact with surface 62,
defining a truncated pyramid 63, with the legs providing an expanded
contact area on surface 62, as opposed to the somewhat compact bag support
frame 12. As seen in FIG. 2, this truncated pyramid configuration 63 adds
stability to the apparatus when it is set upright supporting a sandbag.
FIG. 2 illustrates the assembled apparatus 10, supported upright via legs
26 engaging frame 12, with a sandbag 50 positioned thereupon. As
illustrated, sandbag 50 includes an upper open end portion 52, having an
opening 54, and a bag body 56, defined by a continuous fabric wall 58,
into which sand is shoveled through upper opening 54. As seen, the upper
end 57 of bag 50 has been slid through the central opening 32 in frame 12,
and folded over the upper edge 21 of frame 12. Frame 12 includes a clip
member 13 along each wall of the frame 12, for clip engaging the upper end
57 of bag 50 between the clip body 15 and each wall of frame 12. In this
manner the opening 54 in each bag 50 is maintained opened while clipped,
and the bag body 56 is supported sufficient distance from the ground so as
to allow sand or the like to be shoveled into opening 54, until the bag is
sufficiently filled. As seen in FIG. 2, because of the clips 13 engaging
bag 50 in place, there is no need for a second person to hold the bag 50
open during the shoveling process.
FIG. 3 illustrates the sandbag filling apparatus 10 which it is in the
stowage position. As illustrated, each of the leg members 26 have been
disengaged from each collar 30. Following this procedure, the lower
support end 29 of each leg 26 is then slid through openings in two
opposite walls, e.g., 14, 16 of the frame 12, until all four legs 26 have
been slidably engaged through the four sets of circular openings 23 in
opposing sidewalls 14, 16. It should be noted that the lower ends 45 of
each leg 26 must be the leading end slid through openings 23 in frame 12,
since the bend 44 at the upper end of each leg 26 would prevent that end
from sliding through the ports 23 in frame 12. In order to maintain each
leg 26 in place, there is provided a second spring loaded button 60 at the
upper end of each lower support portion 29 of each leg 26. The lower
support portion 29 of each leg 26 is slid through each port 22 in a first
sidewall 14, until the bend 44 is adjacent the opening 22. At this
position, each button 60 on leg 26 is recessed in order to allow it to
pass through port 22. After the button 60 has passed through wall 22, it
is allowed to return to its normally out position, which prevents the leg
26 from sliding back out of the port 22 during transport. In effect, legs
26 remain in the stowed position in frame 12 because the each leg is
unable to continue to slide in the first direction, due to the angle at
the bend 44 of each leg 26, while button 60 prevents the leg from sliding
in the second direction.
As seen in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, apparatus 10 forms a
very compact and linear unit which can be easily carried by soldiers in
the field of by fire fighters. The stowage dimensions are approximately 19
inches by 7 inches by 4 inches, with an overall weight of 2.5 pounds. The
quick release buttons 60 allow deployment in under a minute by one person
using no tools. The construction materials are such that they would be
resistant to chemical agents and decontaminates. The unit would be
compatible with standard military sandbags, (ML-B-12233E), with no
replacement parts and a life span of over 1,000 fillings of sandbags.
During stowage and transport, the apparatus, because of its dimensions as
stated earlier could be carried in or strapped onto a standard issue
rucksack or carried in a standard sandbag.
In addition, the support frame, without the sandbag, may be used as a
support apparatus for supporting a flat surface or the like during outdoor
use. Although it is primarily designed as a support apparatus for a
sandbag, this secondary use may be important during certain conditions in
the field.
The following table lists the part numbers and part descriptions as used
herein and in the drawings attached hereto.
______________________________________
PARTS LIST
Description Part No.
______________________________________
sandbag accessory apparatus
10
support frame 12
side walls 14, 16, 18, 20
clips 13
clip body 15
side wall upped edge 21
central frame opening 22
circular openings 23
side wall lower edge 24
slots 25
leg member 26
upper frame engaging portion
27
corner 28
corner portion 28A
lower support portion 29
collar member 30
engagement means 31
central opening 32
annular wall 33
internal cutaway portion
35
wall cutaway portion 37
lower edge 39
spring loaded button 40
upped edge 41
port 42
bend 44
lower end 45
sandbag 50
upper open end 52
opening 54
bag body 56
fabric wall 58
upper end 57
2nd spring loaded button
60
surface 62
truncated pyramid 63
______________________________________
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope
of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may
be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the
descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the
details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting
sense.
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